Hand-held, portable electronic device with retainer port for receiving retainable accessory for use wirelessly therewith

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment of the present invention, a hand-held, portable electronic device is provided for use with a retainable accessory including a conductive male member which extends longitudinally from an end of the retainable accessory. The hand-held, portable electronic device may comprise a cavity in an exterior periphery of the hand-held, portable electronic device. The cavity may be configured to receive the conductive male member of the retainable accessory for storing the retainable accessory by inserting the conductive male member of the retainable accessory within the cavity. The retainable accessory may be adapted to communicate with the hand-held, portable electronic device wirelessly via an electronic signal such that the conductive male member of the retainable accessory to enable flow of charge such that the retainable accessory can function by electronically communicating with the hand-held, portable electronic device when physically not connected thereto. The retainable accessory is stored for reuse within the cavity by physically connecting to the hand-held, portable electronic device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/608,388, filed on Sep. 10, 2012 (now a U.S. Pat. No. 8,472,658), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application 12/017,169, filed on Jan. 21, 2008 (now a U.S. Pat. No. 8,265,326), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/686,207, filed on Mar. 14, 2007 (now a U.S. Pat. No. 8,155,367), which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/563,429, filed on Nov. 27, 2006 (now a U.S. Pat. No. 8,059,853), all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to hand-held, portable electronic devices, and more particularly, to providing a retainer in a hand-held, portable electronic device for retaining a wireless accessory.

2. Description of the Related Art

Increasingly use to hand-held, portable electronic devices, such as a processor or controller based devices including hand-held, portable computers, hand-held multi-media players, music players, cellular phones, hand-held wired and/or wireless communication and/or computing devices, hand-held pocket computers, and personal digital assistants is becoming widely popular. As a result, use and exchange of electronic entertainment content and information is not only a trend anymore but a norm and a convenient way of experiencing multi-media content such as music and video, conveying information including electronic mail messages between users of wired and/or mobile communication devices. Many commercial enterprises, media service providers or network operators, Internet service providers and businesses use Internet to disseminate electronic multi-media content (textual, graphic, music and video files) over a connected mesh of wired and/or wireless network users. For example, several of these entities usually provide access to multi-media content and services on the Internet via websites and web browsers.

Users of the hand-held, portable electronic devices obtain and store a variety of electronic multi-media content such as music and video files on their hand-held, portable devices. Likewise, users of networked devices wired and/or wireless exchange electronic messages to communicate with other users. To use the hand-held, portable electronic devices, an audiophone comprising headphone(s) and/or microphone is provided for users. In general, for listening to electronic multi-media content such as music and video files, a pair of stereo headphones is provided with the hand-held, portable electronic devices. For the hand-held, portable networked, wired and/or wireless communication and/or computing devices, a headphone with a microphone is provided. Examples of headphones and/or microphones include a wired or a wireless set of audio devices.

While the wireless headphones and/or microphones comprise a headphone and/or a microphone, the wired headphone(s) and/or microphone comprise a pair of stereo audio cords with a set of micro headphones at one end and an audio male connector pin on the other end, both face a similar set of issues relating to their storage for reuse, i.e., when not being used by users. In particular, the audio cords are a few feet long so that a user can conveniently use the headphones and/or microphones. Since these audio cords are relatively soft and flexible they get entangled when the headphones and/or microphones are not being used. That is, storage of the headphones and/or microphones with a relatively long and flexible audio cord with headphone speaker(s) attached to its end is a messy affair. With regard to the wireless headphones and/or microphones, because of their wireless convenience it is relatively easy to misplace, damage, or loose them when they are not being in use. In this manner, storage for reuse of both the wired and/or wireless headphones and/or microphones of the hand-held, portable electronic devices becomes quite a challenge when an audiophone is not put to use by wireless users or it discharges rather quickly due to a constant use and need frequent recharging.

A wireless device accessory is a wireless communication-enabled accessory that can electronically, i.e., wirelessly communicate with a wireless communication-enabled device over a wireless communication link.

With regard to wireless device accessories such a stylus or a Bluetooth headset, because of their wireless convenience it is relatively easy to misplace, damage, or loose them when they are not being in use. In this manner, storage for reuse of wireless device accessories of the hand-held, portable electronic devices becomes quite a challenge when a wireless device accessory is not put to use by users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an exhaustive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is discussed later.

The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing, the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a hand-held, portable electronic device is provided for use with a retainable accessory that includes a conductive member. The hand-held, portable electronic device may comprise a device body and a device housing that encloses the device body. The device housing has an exterior periphery. The hand-held, portable electronic device may further comprise a retainer port that defines an accessory retaining structure formed in the exterior periphery of the device housing. The accessory retaining structure may be configured to receive the conductive member of the retainable accessory for storing the retainable accessory. The retainable accessory may be adapted to communicate with the hand-held, portable electronic device wirelessly via an electronic signal. The accessory retaining structure may include a cavity for retaining the retainable accessory at the hand-held, portable electronic device by inserting the conductive member of the retainable accessory within the cavity. The conductive member of the retainable accessory to enable flow of charge such that the retainable accessory can function by electronically communicating with the hand-held, portable electronic device when physically not connected thereto. The retainable accessory may be stored for reuse when physically connected to the hand-held, portable electronic device. The accessory retaining structure may be configured to accept a male member which extends longitudinally from an end of the retainable accessory.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method of retaining at a hand-held, portable electronic device a retainable accessory that includes a conductive member is provided. The method comprises

providing a device body of the hand-held, portable electronic device;

providing a device housing that encloses the device body, the device housing having an exterior periphery; and

providing a retainer port that defines an accessory retaining structure formed in the exterior periphery of the device housing, the accessory retaining structure is configured to receive the conductive member of the retainable accessory for storing the retainable accessory,

wherein the retainable accessory is adapted to communicate with the hand-held, portable electronic device wirelessly via an electronic signal, wherein the accessory retaining structure including:

-   -   a cavity for retaining the retainable accessory at the         hand-held, portable electronic device by inserting the         conductive member of the retainable accessory within the cavity,         wherein the conductive member of the retainable accessory to         enable flow of charge such that the retainable accessory can         function by electronically communicating with the hand-held,         portable electronic device when physically not connected         thereto, wherein the retainable accessory is stored for reuse         when physically connected to the hand-held, portable electronic         device,

wherein the accessory retaining structure is configured to accept a male member which extends longitudinally from an end of the retainable accessory.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a hand-held, portable electronic device is provided for use with a retainable accessory that includes a conductive male member which extends longitudinally from an end of the retainable accessory. The hand-held, portable electronic device may comprise a cavity in an exterior periphery of the hand-held, portable electronic device, wherein the cavity is configured to receive the conductive male member of the retainable accessory for storing the retainable accessory by inserting the conductive male member of the retainable accessory within the cavity, wherein the retainable accessory is adapted to communicate with the hand-held, portable electronic device wirelessly via an electronic signal such that conductive male member of the retainable accessory to enable flow of charge such that the retainable accessory can function by electronically communicating with the hand-held, portable electronic device when physically not connected thereto, and wherein the retainable accessory is stored for reuse within the cavity by physically connecting to the hand-held, portable electronic device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a hand-held, portable electronic device including a retainer assembly to detachably retain an attachable wireless audiophone including at least one speaker and a microphone with the hand-held, portable electronic device using a device housing having a surface in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a hand-held, portable electronic device with a retainer port including a retainer assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a hand-held, portable electronic device including a retainer assembly having a cavity that forms an audiophone-retaining structure for the retainer assembly to provide a first portion in the surface of the device housing for securely holding a second portion of the attachable wireless audiophone at the hand-held, portable electronic device consistent with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a hand-held, portable electronic device including a retainer port having a socket that forms an audiophone-retaining structure for a retainer assembly to provide a first portion in the surface of the device housing for securely holding a second portion of the attachable wireless audiophone at the hand-held, portable electronic device consistent with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a hand-held, portable electronic device including a retainer assembly having a latch to detachably retain the attachable wireless audiophone over the surface of the device housing consistent with one embodiment of the present invention consistent with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a hand-held, portable electronic device including a retainer assembly including a flexible hook pivotably coupled to the hand-held, portable electronic device for disposing the attachable wireless audiophone over the surface of the device housing consistent with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a hand-held, portable electronic device including a retainer assembly including a box having one or more threaded notches for removably mounting on the hand-held, portable electronic device to store the attachable wireless audiophone, as shown in FIG. 1, consistent with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a hand-held, portable electronic device including a retainer assembly including a receptacle having a lid coupled to hand-held, portable electronic device for pivotably closing the receptacle to store the attachable wireless audiophone, as shown in FIG. 1, consistent with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a hand-held, portable electronic device including a retainer assembly including a retractable holder having one or more rails operable for mounting in the device housing and having a cup on a distil end to retain the attachable wireless audiophone, as shown in FIG. 1, consistent with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a stylized representation for implementing a method for providing a retainer port to retain an attachable wireless audiophone including at least one speaker and a microphone on a hand-held, portable electronic device shown in FIG. 3 consistent with one illustrative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a hand-held, portable electronic device including a retainer port including at least one of a first or a second port socket configured for removably retaining a first attachable wireless audiophone for in situ charging thereof when the hand-held, portable electronic device is connected to an electrical power source for recharging, consistent with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 schematically illustrates a hand-held, portable electronic device with the charger circuitry shown in FIG. 1 including a device battery charger circuit, a first headset charger circuit, and optionally a second headset charger circuit in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 schematically illustrates the device battery charger circuit shown in FIG. 12 that replenishes a battery of a cell phone according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 schematically illustrates the first headset charger circuit shown in FIG. 12 that replenishes a battery of a first attachable wireless audiophone according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 15 schematically illustrates the first headset charger circuit shown in FIG. 12 that replenishes a battery of a first attachable wireless audiophone according to another embodiment of the present invention.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

Generally, a method and an apparatus are provided for retaining an attachable wireless audiophone on a hand-held, portable electronic device for storage, reuse and/or in situ charging. For example, a cell phone may comprise a retainer port to receive a connector of a Bluetooth wireless headset to couple it to the cell phone for securely hold the Bluetooth wireless headset therewith. In one embodiment of the present invention, a retainer port may detachably retain an attachable wireless audiophone including at least one speaker and a microphone with a hand-held, portable electronic device using a device housing having a surface. For removably receiving the attachable wireless audiophone on the hand-held, portable electronic device the retainer port may comprise a retainer assembly including at least a first portion of the surface of the device housing configured to securely hold at least a second portion of the attachable wireless audiophone at the hand-held, portable electronic device. The hand-held, portable electronic device may include a first transceiver adapted to communicate with the attachable wireless audiophone over a wireless communication link. The attachable wireless audiophone may include a second transceiver adapted to communicate with the hand-held, portable electronic device using the wireless communication link. In another embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for providing a retainer assembly to retain an attachable wireless audiophone including at least one speaker and a microphone on a hand-held, portable electronic device having a device housing with a surface. The method comprises forming at least a first portion of the surface of the device housing. The first portion of the surface is configured for removably receiving the attachable wireless audiophone on the hand-held, portable electronic device by securely holding at least a second portion of the attachable wireless audiophone at the hand-held, portable electronic device. The hand-held, portable electronic device includes a first transceiver adapted to communicate with the attachable wireless audiophone over a wireless communication link. The attachable wireless audiophone includes a second transceiver adapted to communicate with the hand-held, portable electronic device using the wireless communication link.

As one example, a cell phone may removably receive a portion of a wireless headset in a retainer port on the cell phone housing for holding and/or in situ charging the wireless headset, such as a Bluetooth wireless headset. Both the cell phone and the wireless headset may include a battery, respectively. A shared or common charger may charge the battery of the cell phone and the battery of the wireless headset in situ. In this way, a retainer port may use a retainer assembly to removably retain an attachable wireless audiophone capable of coupling for communicating with a hand-held, portable electronic device as a pair together for storage, reuse and/or in situ charging. As another example, by using the surface of the housing and/or body of an audio music player, an audiophone retainer assembly may removably store an attachable wireless headset or audiophone along with an audio music player capable of storing and playing MP3 music files. Accordingly, the retainer assembly may enable externally storage of the wireless headset over the surface of the audio music player or cell phone housing and/or internally on the body of the audio music player or cell phone.

Referring to FIG. 1, a hand-held, portable electronic device 100 that may removably retain an attachable wireless audiophone 105 is illustrated according to one embodiment of the present invention. The attachable wireless audiophone 105 may be capable of coupling to the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 and enable communications therewith. The attachable wireless audiophone 105 may include one or more headphone(s). By using a device housing having a surface of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may detachably retain, for example, the attachable wireless audiophone 105.

Examples of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 include consumer electronics products such as a processor or controller based devices including hand-held, portable computers, hand-held multi-media players, music players, cellular phones, hand-held wired and/or wireless communication and/or computing devices, hand-held pocket computers, and personal digital assistants (PDAs), a game player, a video player, a video recorder, a camera, an image viewer and the like. A hand-held device may be sized for placement into a pocket or hand of the user and no reference surface such as a desktop is desired to operate it. By being hand-held, the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 is relatively small and easily handled and utilized by its user. Unlike a laptop computer, by being portable it is pocket sized; the user may carry the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 in hand and avoid carrying a relatively large bag for a bulky and often heavy device. A battery (not shown), an AC adapter, or a vehicle adapter may power the hand-held, portable electronic device 100. Since the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 is battery operated and highly portable, a user may listen to music, play games or video, record video or take pictures or wirelessly communicate wherever the user travels.

The attachable wireless audiophone 105 may include at least one speaker 110 a and a microphone 110 b coupled to a connector 115 a. The hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may include a connector port 115 b to mate with the connector 115 a. Examples of the connector 115 a and the connector port 115 b include a pair of conventional male and female power charging pin and a receptacle or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug and play interface between the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 and the attachable wireless audiophone 105. The attachable wireless audiophone 105 may comprise conventional stereo headphones and a conventional speaker phone.

The hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may include a first transceiver 120 a adapted to communicate with the attachable wireless audiophone 105 over a wireless communication link 125. The attachable wireless audiophone 105 may include a second transceiver 120 b adapted to communicate with the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 using the wireless communication link 125. While the first transceiver 120 a may be a cellular communication transceiver, the second transceiver 120 b may be a short range wireless transceiver, such as based on Bluetooth protocol. The hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may use the first transceiver 120 a for wireless communications. For example, within a cellular transceiver, another short-range Bluetooth transceiver may be provided to communicate with the attachable wireless audiophone 105 and/or a wired or wireless access point. The attachable wireless audiophone 105 may be a headset configured for consumer wearing by a wireless user. The second transceiver 120 b of the attachable wireless audiophone 105 may be adapted to communicate with the first transceiver 120 a of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 using a Bluetooth protocol for a short-range wireless communication associated with the wireless user.

Unlike a conventional wireless Bluetooth headset that may need a separate charger to be connected via a port, the attachable wireless audiophone 105 may be charged in situ when the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 is coupled for charging. While the attachable wireless audiophone 105 may comprise a battery 130 a, the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may comprise a device battery 130 b and an associated charge circuitry 135. By using the charge circuitry 135 provided for charging the device battery 130 b in situ at the hand-held, portable electronic device 100, the battery 130 a of the attachable wireless audiophone 105 may be charged in situ from the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 without having to recharge it separately. Alternatively, a separate charging circuit may be provided for in situ charging the battery 130 a of the attachable wireless audiophone 105.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may include a processor 140 that may control the overall operation of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100. The hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may comprise a display screen 145. The processor 140 may be configured to run user applications (APPS) 150 and send outputs of the user applications 150 to the display screen 145. The display screen 145 may provide a touch sensitive screen for display of Operating System prompts, buttons, icons, application screens, and other data, and for providing user inputs via tapping or touching (or drawing in an area) via a stylus or other touch mechanism.

Consistent with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the user applications 150 may include a phone application (APP) 150 a, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) application (APP) 150 b, and a Global Positioning System (GPS) application (APP) 150 c. The phone application 150 a may be configured to capture user inputs for telephone related operations and display current telephone operations information on the display screen 145. The PDA application 150 b may be configured to capture user inputs for PDA related operations and display current PDA operations information on the display screen 145. The GIPS application 150 c may be configured to capture user inputs for location related operations and display current location operations information on the display screen 145.

According to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may further include a baseband processor 140 a connected to the processor 140 and configured to control operations of a radio device 155 at the first transceiver 120 a. The radio device 155 may provide connectivity to a cellular telephone network (not shown). The hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may comprise a user communication (COMM) interface (I/F) 160 that may communicate user inputs and selections to the processor 140 and the baseband processor 140 a for the user APPS 150. The user COMM I/F 160 may include a phone interface (I/F) 160 a for enabling the phone APP 150 a. Likewise, user COMM I/F 160 may include a PDA interface (I/F) 160 b for enabling the PDA APP 150 b and may further include a GPS interface (I/F) 160 c for enabling the GPS APP 150 c.

For the purposes of enabling a user of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 to interact with the hand-held, portable electronic device 100, the user COMM I/F may take a variety of forms including a button(s), keypad, joy stick, touch screen button(s), and dial(s). For example, the user COMM I/F 160 may include physical hard push buttons and switches located on a body of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 and provide signals to the user applications 150 running on the processor 140 and/or a telephone control application (APP) 150 d executing on the baseband processor 140 a.

Consistent with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may comprise a handheld or pocket personal computer (PC) application (APP) 162 that includes cell phone technology. The pocket PC APP 162 uses a pocket PC user interface (I/F) 165 for executing computer applications using an operating system (OS) 167 at the hand-held, portable electronic device 100. The hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may comprise storage 170 for storing the operating system 167, data, and the computer applications. The storage 170 may store an application engine 172 to execute the user APPS 150. A user may store a plurality of media items (e.g., songs) in a file system at the storage 170.

The hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may utilize a system data bus 175 to transfer programs and data from the storage 170 to the processor 140, as illustrated by one embodiment of the present invention. Over a link 177, the system data bus 175 may carry data and commands to/from the processor 140 from/to other devices within the hand-held, portable electronic device 100. For example, the user applications 150 running on the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 send application screens and other data outputs to the display screen 145 for display via the system data bus 175. User inputs may be detected by the display screen 145 and sent to the processor 140 on the link 177 via the system data bus 175.

Consistent with one embodiment, the storage 170 may comprise a storage disk or a plurality of disks to provide high capacity storage capability for the hand-held, portable electronic device 100. However, portion of the operating system 167 of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may be stored on a non-volatile semiconductor memory device 180 such as FLASH memory. An example of the memory device 180 is a semiconductor memory such as Random-Access Memory (RAM). In the memory device 180, the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may store executables for executing applications (APPS) 160(1) and associated media content data 182 pertaining to multi-media items in a file system and a cache 186. Examples of the media content data 182 include electronic entertainment content and information such as music, video, electronic mail messages.

The system data bus 175 may internally couple the cache 186, a coder/decoder (CODEC) 188 a, and a video coder/decoder (VODEC) 188 b within the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 to the processor 140 for transferring data therebetween. At the hand-held, portable electronic device 100, the CODEC 188 a may be coupled to the storage 170, which may, in turn, couple a device speaker 110 b and a device microphone 112 b to the system data bus 175. The hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may include one or more communication (COMM) port(s) 190 including a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port and a power and/or charging port. Using the COMM port(s) 190, for example, the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may interface with external devices, such as computers or a base unit.

The hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may interface with computers, commercial enterprises, media service providers or network operators, Internet service providers and businesses using Internet to obtain and/or disseminate electronic multi-media content (textual, graphic, music and video files) over a connected mesh of wired and/or wireless network users. For example, a user of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may access multi-media content and services wirelessly or on wired communication medium on the Internet via websites and web browsers.

For illustrative purposes, in one embodiment, the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may communicate over a communications system that may be a digital cellular network, although it should be understood that the present invention may be applicable to other systems that support data and/or voice communication. The communications system may allow the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 to communicate with a data network, such as the Internet, through one or more base stations (BTS). The hand-held, portable electronic device 100 may take the form of any of a variety of devices capable of accessing the data network through the BTS. In one embodiment, a plurality of the BTSs may be coupled to a Radio Network Controller (RNC) by one or more connections, such as T1/EI lines or circuits, ATM circuits, cables, optical digital subscriber lines (DSL's), and the like. Generally, the RNC operates to control and coordinate the BTSs to which it is connected. The RNC is, in turn, coupled to a controller (CN) via a connection, which may take on any of a variety of forms, such as T1/EI lines or circuits, ATM circuits, cables, optical digital subscriber lines, and the like.

The data network may be a packet-switched data network, such as a data network according to the Internet Protocol (IP). One version of IP is described in Request for Comments (RFC) 791, entitled “Internet Protocol,” dated September 1981. Other versions of IP, such as IPv6, or other connectionless, packet-switched standards may also be utilized in further embodiments. A version of IPv6 is described in RFC 2460, entitled “Internet Protocol, Version 6 (IPv6) Specification,” dated December 1998. The data network 125 may also include other types of packet-based data networks in further embodiments. Examples of such other packet-based data networks include Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Frame Relay networks, and the like. As utilized herein, a “data network” may refer to one or more communication networks, channels, links, or paths, and systems or devices (such as routers) used to route data over such networks, channels, links, or paths. It should be understood that the configuration of the communications system may include a network management system (not shown) that provides operation, administration, maintenance, and provisioning functions for a cellular network.

In other embodiments, Bluetooth may enable the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 to communicate over wireless personal area networks (PANs). Bluetooth provides a way to connect and exchange information between devices such as mobile phones, laptops, PCs, printers, digital cameras and video game consoles via a secure, globally unlicensed short-range radio frequency. By using short-range radio frequencies Bluetooth may enable two or more devices, for example, the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 to communicate with another device in close proximity. For example, the audiophone 205 may be a Bluetooth headset capable of transferring files from phones/PDAs to computers. The Bluetooth specification is available from Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) or as IEEE standard 802.15.1. Alternatively, Wi-Fi may be used in the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 to communicate on the same radio frequencies as Bluetooth, but with higher power consumption resulting in a stronger connection. Wi-Fi is sometimes called “Wireless Ethernet”. Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi may be used in the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 within offices, homes and on the move by setting up networks, printing, or transferring presentations and files from PDAs to computers.

In operation, a user of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 such as a media player may display a list of available media items on the display screen 145 to play a particular media item. By using the user COMM I/O interface 160, a user can select one of the available media items. The processor 140, upon receiving a selection of a particular media item, supplies the media data (e.g., audio file) for the particular media item to the CODEC 188 a. The CODEC 188 a then produces analog output signals for the speaker 110 b. The speaker 110 b can be a speaker internal to the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 or external to the hand-held, portable electronic device 100. For example, headphones or earphones that connect to the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 would be considered an external speaker. Accordingly, the processor 140 controls the playing of the particular media item such that upon receiving the user's selection of the particular media item, such as music file in Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-1 Audio Layer 3 (MP3) format or MPEG-4 format based on International Organization for Standardization (ISO)/International Electro-technical Commission (IEC) JTC 1/SC29 WG11 standard or M-JPEG used by Internet Protocol (IP) based video cameras via Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) streams by using multipart and/or mixed content type.

Consistent with one embodiment, the video coder/decoder (VODEC) 188 b may be likewise included in the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 to play video items or image files, such as a video file in Windows Media Format (*.wma file) or in a Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) based on JPEG 2000: Image Compression Standards available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or MPEG format, or DivX Media Format (*.divx). Another example is a (*.wav), short for Waveform audio format that is a Microsoft and IBM audio file format standard for storing audio on personal computers (PCs). Other examples include the Resource Interchange File Format (RIFF) bit stream format for storing data in “chunks,” the Interchange File Format (IFF) and the Audio Interchange File Format (AIFF) format used on Apple Macintosh computers.

Consistent with one embodiment, a set of base stations may provide wireless connectivity to the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 according to a desirable communication protocol. Examples of a communication protocol include a code division multiple access (CDMA, CDMA2000) protocol, wideband-CDMA (WCDMA) protocol, a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) protocol, a Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) protocol, and like. For example, the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 as a smart phone, text messaging device, and the like may employ a spread spectrum cellular system to operate in a high-speed wireless data network, such as a digital cellular CDMA network.

Referring to FIG. 2 a hand-held, portable electronic device, such as a cell phone 200 is schematically illustrated with a retainable wireless audiophone 105 a capable of attaching to a cell phone housing 205, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The cell phone housing 205 may removably retain the retainable wireless audiophone 105 a capable of wirelessly coupling to communicate with the cell phone 200. The cell phone housing 205 having a surface 210 may removably receive the retainable wireless audiophone 105 a for holding together as a mating pair with the cell phone 200.

In one embodiment, the cell phone 200 may comprise a retainer port 211 that uses a retainer assembly 212 to removably couple the retainable wireless audiophone 105 a to the cell phone housing 205. The retainer assembly 212 may comprise at least a first portion 215 a-215 b of the surface 210 of the cell phone housing 205 may be configured for removably receiving retainable wireless audiophone 105 a on the cell phone 200. To latch itself with the cell phone housing 205, for providing the retainer assembly 212, the retainable wireless audiophone 105 a may comprise at least a second portion 220 a-220 b. Examples of the first portion 215 a-215 b of the surface 210 of the cell phone housing include a cavity 215 having a pair of hollow bubbles so shaped to receive a corresponding solid bubble pair, respectively. Examples of the second portion 220 a-220 b of the retainable wireless audiophone 105 a include a plug 220 having a pair of solid bubbles capable of snugly latching to the corresponding hollow bubble shaped to receive a respective solid bubble of the pair of solid bubbles. However, persons of an ordinary skill would appreciate that the retainer assembly 212 may be formed of many known shapes and structures by having the benefit of this instant disclosure based on one or more factors including a desired application and its operation, location on the cell phone 200. For example, an arrangement of the retainer assembly 212 may comprise the plug 220 and cavity 215. This arrangement may use a known stylus and an associated receptacle structure to securely receive and retain the retainable wireless audiophone 105 a with the cell phone housing 205 at the cell phone 200 by using a mating wedge or tapered forms for the plug 220 and a hollow cone-shaped or wedge-shaped receptacle for the cavity 215 instead of the bubbles based configuration.

The first portion 215 a-215 b of the surface 210 of the cell phone housing 205 may securely hold at least the second portion 220 a-210 b of the retainable wireless audiophone 105 a at the cell phone 200. While the cell phone 200 may include the first transceiver (TRX) 120 a adapted to communicate with the retainable wireless audiophone 105 a over the wireless communication link 125, the retainable wireless audiophone 105 a may include the second transceiver (TRX) 120 b adapted to communicate with the cell phone 200 using the wireless communication link 125.

Consistent with one embodiment, the cell phone 200 may comprise a conventional radio frequency (RF) unit 225. The RF unit 225 may include the first transceiver (TRX) 120 a to communicate with the retainable wireless audiophone 105 a over the wireless communication link 125. Examples of the RF unit 225 include a transceiver based on one or more communication protocols including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, CDMA, WCDMA, GSM, and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), a packet-based air interface for radio transmission of data, usually between mobile phones and the Internet.

The cell phone 200 may comprise a baseband unit 230 for digital processing the information signal (voice, data, or image) in the frequency range before being modulated onto a carrier or demodulated after reception by using a signaling technique in which the signal is transmitted in its digital form and not changed by modulation techniques. The baseband unit 230 may comprise a baseband processor 235 for use in a communications system, for example, wireless communications systems and, more particularly, toward baseband processing of communication channels. For example, the baseband processor 235 may be suitable in the United States for a wireless phone service offered in both the cellular (approx. 800 Mega Hertz (MHz)) and PCS (Personal Communications Services) (approx. 1900 MHz) frequency bands in a dual-band phone.

When digital speech represented by a series of bits, which are modulated and transmitted from a base station (not shown) to the cell phone 200, and vice versa, the cell phone 200 may demodulate the received waveform to recover the bits as originally transmitted, and the recovered bits are then converted back into speech. The baseband unit 230 may enable data services, such as E-mail, Internet access, etc., that require digital communications.

In operation, the baseband unit 230 may use one or more types of digital communications systems. For example, FDMA (Frequency-Division-Multiple-Access) systems divide the radio spectrum into a plurality of radio channels corresponding to different carrier frequencies. TDMA (Time-Division-Multiple-Access) systems further divide the carrier frequencies into time slots. D-AMPS (Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System), PDC (Pacific Digital Cellular), and GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) are examples of digital TDMA cellular systems. Alternatively, if the radio channel is wide enough, multiple users can use the same channel using spread spectrum techniques and CDMA (Code-Division-Multiple-Access). IS-95 and J-STD-008 are examples of wireless systems incorporating CDMA standards.

The baseband unit 230 may comprise a RF interface 240 to interface with the RF unit 225. The baseband unit 230 may further comprise a controller 245 and a system connector 250. While the system connector 250 may be used to connect any external accessories and/or a battery charger unit (not shown), the controller 245 may comprise a storage device 252 to store a conventional CODEC module 254 and a phone manager (PM) module 256, The CODEC module 254 and the phone manger module 256 may be software and/or firmware that comprise instructions or program code. The CODEC module 254 may control voice functionality of the cell phone 200. The phone manger module 256 may control the device battery 130 b, the charger circuitry 135, the speaker (SPK) 110 b, and the microphone (Mic) 112 b. The phone manger module 256 may control a subscriber identity module (SIM) 260, a smartcard securely storing the key identifying a mobile subscriber. For example, the SIM 260 may be used with a GSM system or with a compatible module it may be used for a UMTS phone and/or an Integrated Digital Enhanced Network (IDEN) phone. The SIM 260 may store text messages and a phone book. The baseband unit 230 may further comprise a liquid crystal display (LCD) 265, FLASH memory 270, static random access memory (SRAM) 275, a keypad 280, a vibrator 285, and a backlight 290.

Turning now to FIG. 3, a hand-held, portable electronic device 100 a is shown in a perspective view to include a retainer assembly 300 according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The retainer assembly 300 may removably retain an attachable wireless audiophone 105 b capable of coupling for communicating to the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 a. The hand-held, portable electronic device 100 a may comprise a device body 305 and a device housing 310 with a surface 315. By using the surface 315 of the device housing 310 and/or the device body 305, the retainer assembly 300 may removably receive the attachable wireless audiophone 105 b for holding together as a pair with the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 a. The attachable wireless audiophone 105 b may include a headphone 320 and a microphone 325. The retainer assembly 300 having a cavity 315 that forms an audiophone-retaining structure for the retainer assembly 330 may provide a first portion 335 in the surface 315 of the device housing 310 for securely holding a second portion 340 of the attachable wireless audiophone 105 b at the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 a consistent with one embodiment of the present invention.

Examples of the first portion 335 include a tapered hollow structure, such as used for holding a stylus. Examples of the second portion 340 include a tapered solid structure, such as used for a stylus. For example, the shape of the tapered hollow structure and the tapered solid structure may be formed as a mating pair of two objects that may snuggly hold with each other due to a frictional force. In this way, the retainer assembly 300 may provide a locking or rigid latching structure. While the first portion 335 may be formed form a same material with which body of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 a is formed, the second portion 340 may be formed form a same material with which body of the attachable wireless audiophone 105 b is formed. However, other desired forms and suitable material may be deployed to provide the first portion 335 and the second portion 340 depending upon a particular application having the benefit of the instant disclosure.

Persons of ordinary skill in the pertinent art would appreciate that for forming the retainer assembly 300 one or a combination of several material(s) may be used such as those used to fabricate the device housing 310 and/or the device body 305 of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 a. However, it is to be understood that a host of shapes and sizes may be obtained for the retainer assembly 300 based on a particular, functionality, dimensions of the shape and/or size of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 a and in accordance with dimensions of the shape and size of the attachable wireless audiophone 105 b. Examples of the material that may be used to form the retainer assembly 300 include plastic, rubber, metal, and alloys. For example, polycarbonate, aluminum, aluminum alloy, magnesium may be employed for providing a lightweight and slim or ultra slim design with a compact structure to the retainer assembly 300. One example of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 a is a cellular or mobile phone that includes at least one of a digital music player, a personal digital assistant, a global positioning satellite receiver, a video player, and a pocket personal computer.

Referring to FIG. 4, a hand-held, portable electronic device 100 b is shown in a perspective view to include a retainer assembly 300 a according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In this perspective view, the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 b includes a retainer port 400 having a socket 405 that forms an audiophone-retaining structure for the retainer assembly 300 a. Consistent with one embodiment of the present invention, the retainer assembly 300 a may provide a first portion 410 in the device housing 310 for securely holding a second portion 415 of an attachable wireless audiophone 105 c at the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 b. The retainer port 400 may be formed in the device housing 310 having a surface to receive a connector 420 of the attachable wireless audiophone 105 c for securely holding the attachable wireless audiophone 105 c at the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 b.

In one embodiment, the socket 405 may receive the connector 420 of the attachable wireless audiophone 105 c for in situ charging thereof at the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 b. To provide in situ charging, in one embodiment, the retainer port 400 may use a power pin socket 430 to receive a power pin 435 of the connector 420 of the attachable wireless audiophone 105 c. For in situ charging of the attachable wireless audiophone 105 c at the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 b, as one example, the attachable wireless audiophone 105 c may comprise a Universal Serial Bus (USB) male connector that enables the attachable wireless audiophone 105 c to receive charge at the power pin socket 430 of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 b. The attachable wireless audiophone 105 c may comprise at least one of two headphones that may be folded into a single headset when the attachable wireless audiophone 105 c is connected for in situ charging thereof at the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 b. One example of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 b is a cellular or mobile phone that includes at least one of a digital music player, a personal digital assistant, a global positioning satellite receiver, a video player, and a pocket personal computer.

Referring to FIG. 5, a hand-held, portable electronic device 100 c is shown in a perspective view to include a retainer assembly 300 b according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The retainer assembly 300 b may comprise a latch 500 to detachably retain an attachable wireless audiophone 105 d over the surface of the device housing 310 consistent with one embodiment of the present invention. A first portion 505 of the surface of the device housing 310 may include the latch 500 formed to detachably retain at least a second portion 510 of the attachable wireless audiophone 105 d with the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 c.

According to one embodiment on the present invention, the latch 500 may be mounted on the device housing 310, for example, on a narrow flat side of the device body 305 of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 c. The latch 500 may be adapted to hold a flexible ear cord 515. In this way, the latch 500 may removably retain the attachable wireless audiophone 105 d capable of coupling for communicating with the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 c as a pair together for storage and reuse. For example, by using the surface of the device housing 310 and/or the device body 305 of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 c, the retainer assembly 300 b may removably store the attachable wireless audiophone 105 d along with an audio and/or video player capable of storing and playing MP3 music files and/or MPEG video files. Accordingly, the retainer assembly 300 b may externally store the headphones 230 over the surface of the device housing 310 and/or internally on the device body 305 of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 c. One example of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 c is a cellular or mobile phone that includes at least one of a digital music player, a personal digital assistant, a global positioning satellite receiver, a video player, and a pocket personal computer.

Referring to FIG. 6, a hand-held, portable electronic device 100 d is shown in a perspective view to include a retainer assembly 300 c according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The retainer assembly 300 c may include a flexible hook 600 pivotably coupled to the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 d for disposing the attachable wireless audiophone 105 d over the surface of the device housing 310 consistent with one embodiment of the present invention.

Accordingly, when the attachable wireless audiophone 105 d is being not worn by a user of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 d, the retainer assembly 300 c may externally hold the attachable wireless audiophone 105 d over the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 d. One example of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 d is a cellular or mobile phone that includes at least one of a digital music player, a personal digital assistant, a global positioning satellite receiver, a video player, and a pocket personal computer.

Referring to FIG. 7, a hand-held, portable electronic device 100 e is shown in a perspective view to include a retainer assembly 300 d according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Consistent with one embodiment of the present invention, the retainer assembly 300 d may include a box 700 having one or more threaded notches 705(1,2) to fit in mating notches 710(1,2) for removably mounting on the hand-held, portable electronic device 105 e to store an attachable wireless audiophone 105 e. Accordingly, the retainer assembly 300 d may externally hold the attachable wireless audiophone 105 e over the device body 305 of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 e. In one embodiment, the retainer assembly 300 d may be an attachable sleeve configured to latchably mount on the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 e.

The box 700 may be operable for mounting on or as the device housing 310 to store the attachable wireless audiophone 105 e housed therein with the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 e when the attachable wireless audiophone 105 e is being not worn by a user of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 e. The attachable wireless audiophone 105 e may be a handsfree headset that comprises at least one flexible earphone 715 and a microphone 720. One example of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 e is a cellular or mobile phone that includes at least one of a digital music player, a personal digital assistant, a global positioning satellite receiver, a video player, and a pocket personal computer.

Referring to FIG. 8, a hand-held, portable electronic device 100 f is shown in a perspective view to include a retainer assembly 300 e according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The retainer assembly 300 e may include a receptacle 800 having a lid 805 coupled to hand-held, portable electronic device 100 f for pivotably closing the receptacle 800 to store an attachable wireless audiophone 105 f consistent with one embodiment of the present invention. The receptacle 800 may be operable for keeping in the attachable wireless audiophone 105 f for storage by housing it therein with the device body 305 of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 f. That is, the receptacle 800 may hold the attachable wireless audiophone 105 f when it is not being worn by a user of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 f.

The attachable wireless audiophone 105 f may be a handsfree headset that comprises a bendable earphone 810 and a flexible microphone 815. One example of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 f is a cellular or mobile phone that includes at least one of a digital music player, a personal digital assistant, a global positioning satellite receiver, a video player, and a pocket personal computer.

Referring to FIG. 9, a hand-held, portable electronic device 100 g is shown in a perspective view to include a retainer assembly 300 f according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The retainer assembly 300 f may include a retractable holder 900 having one or more rails 905(1,2) operable for mounting in the device housing 310. The retractable holder 900 having a cup 910 on a distil end may retain an attachable wireless audiophone 105 g consistent with one embodiment of the present invention.

The attachable wireless audiophone 105 g may be a handsfree headset that comprises at least one pivotally movable ear grip 915 and a flexible microphone 920. One example of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 g is a cellular or mobile phone that includes at least one of a digital music player, a personal digital assistant, a global positioning satellite receiver, a video player, and a pocket personal computer. The attachable wireless audiophone 105 g may be a handsfree headset that comprises at least one insertable ear plug. The attachable wireless audiophone 105 g may be a handsfree headset that comprises at least one arm that latches externally to ear.

Turning now to FIG. 10, a stylized representation for implementing a method for providing the retainer port 400, as shown in FIG. 4, is illustrated to retain the attachable wireless audiophone 105 c including at least one speaker and a microphone on the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 b shown in FIG. 4 consistent with one illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

At block 1000, by using the device housing 310 having a surface of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 b the retainer port 400 may be formed. That is, at the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 b, the retainer port 400 may be configured for receiving the attachable wireless audiophone 105 c. At block 1005, the connector 415 at the attachable wireless audiophone 105 c may be adapted to latch on to the retainer port 400 that may receive the connector 415 of the attachable wireless audiophone 105 c for securely holding it at the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 b. In this way, by using the retainer assembly 300 a, the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 b may removably receive the attachable wireless audiophone 105 c for retaining it over the device body 310. According to various embodiments of the retainer assembly 300 a including the shown structures 300 a-300 e may be formed, molded, manufactured, assembled or fabricated, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 8. For example, the retainer assembly 300 a-300 e structures may be obtained by using one or more material(s) in a combination as described above based on a specific application having desired dimensions.

Referring to FIG. 11, it illustrates a perspective view of a hand-held, portable electronic device 100 h including a retainer port 1100 including at least one of a first 1105 a or a second port socket 1105 b configured for removably retaining a first attachable wireless audiophone 1110 a for in situ charging thereof when the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 h is connected to an electrical power source (not shown) for recharging, consistent with one embodiment of the present invention. The second port socket 1105 b may be configured for removably retaining a second attachable wireless audiophone 1110 b on the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 h.

Consistent with one embodiment of the present invention, the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 h may include the first transceiver 120 a adapted to communicate with the first attachable wireless audiophone 1110 a over a short-range wireless communication link 125 a. The first attachable wireless audiophone 1110 a may include the second transceiver 120 b adapted to communicate with the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 h using the short-range wireless communication link 125 a. The second transceiver 120 b of the attachable wireless audiophone 1110 a is adapted to communicate with the first transceiver 120 a of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 h using a Bluetooth protocol for a short-range wireless communication associated with a wireless user. The hand-held, portable electronic device 100 h may comprise the charger circuitry 135 coupled to the at least one of the first 1105 a or the second port socket 1105 b for in situ charging of the first attachable wireless audiophone 1110 a when the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 h is connected to an electrical power source for recharging.

In operation, the first attachable wireless audiophone 1110 a to receive in situ charge when a device battery 1115 for the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 h to receive charge from the electrical power source at a power port 1118 using an AC power supply adapter (not shown) that provides a desired DC voltage output. The first attachable wireless audiophone 1110 a may include a first battery 1120 a that receives charge from the electrical power source using the AC power supply adapter that enables a first desired DC voltage for recharging the first battery 1120 a. The first attachable wireless audiophone 1110 a may include a first headset 1125 a configured for consumer wearing by a wireless user, for example, inside an ear.

The retainer port 1100 may be configured to mate with a first connector 1130 a of the first attachable wireless audiophone 1110 a including at least one of a speaker or a microphone (not shown) at the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 h having a device housing 1135 with a surface 1140. The second port socket 1105 b to communicatively receive a second connector 1130 b of the second attachable wireless audiophone 1110 b for in situ charging thereof when the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 h is connected to the electrical power source for recharging.

In one embodiment, the retainer port 1100 may be a power pin socket to receive a power pin of the first connector 1130 a of the first attachable wireless audiophone 1110 a for in situ charging thereof at the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 h. The first attachable wireless audiophone 1110 a may comprise a Universal Serial Bus (USB) male connector that enables the first attachable wireless audiophone 1110 a to receive charge at the power pin socket of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 h.

The second attachable wireless audiophone 1110 b to receive in situ charge when the device battery 1115 for the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 h to receive charge from the electrical power source using an AC power supply adapter that provides a desired DC voltage output. The second attachable wireless audiophone 1110 b may include a second battery 1120 b that receives charge from the electrical power source using the AC power supply adapter that enables a second desired DC voltage for recharging the second battery 1120 b. The second attachable wireless audiophone 1110 b includes a second headset 1125 b configured for consumer wearing by a wireless user, for example, inside an ear. The second transceiver 120 b of the second attachable wireless audiophone 1110 b is adapted to communicate with the first transceiver 120 b of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 h using a Bluetooth protocol for a short-range wireless communication associated with the wireless user.

Referring to FIG. 12, it schematically illustrates a hand-held, portable electronic device 100 i with the charger circuitry 135 shown in FIG. 1 including a device battery charger circuit 1200, a first headset charger circuit 1205 a, and optionally a second headset charger circuit 1205 b in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Examples of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 i include a cell phone, a digital music layer such as a MP3 player. Additional examples include a cell phone that includes at least one of a digital music player, a personal digital assistant, a global positioning satellite receiver, a video player, and a pocket personal computer. Further examples of the hand-held, portable electronic device 1001 include at least one of a digital music player, a personal digital assistant, a global positioning satellite receiver, a video player, and a pocket personal computer such as a mobile Internet device.

As shown in FIG. 12, a conventional battery charger 1210 may provide charge from an electrical power source using an AC power supply adapter that provides a desired DC voltage output.

Referring to FIG. 13, it schematically illustrates details of the device battery charger circuit 1200 shown in FIG. 12 that replenishes the device battery 1115 of the hand-held, portable electronic device 100 i such as a cell phone according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the device battery charger circuit 1200 may be a current-limited voltage source. The device battery charger circuit 1200 may provide to a cell phone' battery packs in the battery 3.6-6V DC and 180-200 mA current for charging. The device battery 1115 may comprise one to three Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) cells, each having 1.2V rating. A 12V input with current (1.8A) may charge the battery connected across the output terminals. The device battery charger circuit 1200 may monitor the voltage level of the device battery 1115. The device battery charger circuit 1200 may automatically cut off the charging process when its output terminal voltage increases above the predetermined voltage level.

The device battery charger circuit 1200 may comprise a Timer IC NE555 to charge and monitor the voltage level in the device battery 1115. Control voltage pin 5 of IC NE555 is provided with a reference voltage of 5.6V by zener diode ZD1. Threshold pin 6 is supplied with a voltage set by VR1 and trigger pin 2 is supplied with a voltage set by VR2.

When a discharged cell phone battery is connected to the device battery charger circuit 1200, the voltage given to trigger pin 2 of IC1 is below I/3Vcc and hence the flip-flop in the IC is switched on to take output pin 3 high. When the device battery 1115 is fully charged, the output terminal voltage increases the voltage at pin 2 of IC1 above the trigger point threshold. This switches off the flip-flop and the output goes low to terminate the charging process. Threshold pin 6 of IC1 is referenced at ⅔Vcc set by VR1. Transistor T1 is used to enhance the charging current. Value of R3 is critical in providing the required current for charging. With the given value of 39-ohm the charging current is around 180 mA.

The device battery charger circuit 1200 may be constructed on a small general-purpose PCB. For calibration of cut-off voltage level, use a variable DC power source. Connect the output terminals of the circuit to the variable power supply set at 7V. Adjust VR1 in the middle position and slowly adjust VR2 until LED1 goes off, indicating low output. LED1 should turn on when the voltage of the variable power supply reduces below 5V. The device battery charger circuit 1200 may use suitable connector for connecting to the cell phone battery, such as the device battery 1115.

Consistent with one embodiment of the present invention, the device battery charger circuit 1200 may power a Motorola make cell phone battery rated at 3.6V, 320 mAH. In place of 5.6V zener, a 3.3V zener diode can be used in this instance. The device battery charger circuit 1200 may provide a charging current of about 200 mA.

Referring to FIG. 14, it schematically illustrates the first headset charger circuit 1205 a shown in FIG. 12 that replenishes the first battery 1120 a of the first attachable wireless audiophone 1110 a according to one embodiment of the present invention. Likewise, FIG. 15 schematically illustrates the first headset charger circuit 1205 a shown in FIG. 12 that replenishes the first battery 1120 a of the first attachable wireless audiophone 1110 a according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The first headset charger circuit 1205 a is schematically illustrated according to one embodiment of the present invention to power the first battery 1120 a. The first headset charger circuit 1205 a may charge the first battery 1120 a to 3V operation or provide charge for 5V operation of a battery. As shown in FIG. 14, consistent with one embodiment of the present invention, Maxim IC MAX 1672 that combines a step-up DC/DC converter with a linear regulator for allowing it to regulate up or down for a range of input voltages may be used to realize the first headset charger circuit 1205 a. The first headset charger circuit 1205 a may offer hardware-selectable fixed outputs of 3.3 and 5V; however, 3.3V is out of spec for 3V first or second batteries. With suitably chosen R1/R2/R3 values, see for example, as shown in FIG. 14, one can switch the regulated output between 3V and 5V (or any other two outputs within the allowed range) by applying digital control to the power-good input (PGI). The powergood output (PGO), the output of an internal comparator, then changes the IC's feedback by grounding the node between R2 and R3. If the power-good comparator is in use, one can implement the digital control using the ⅗ input and an external MOSFET, as shown in the second headset charger circuit 1205 b of FIG. 15.

Portions of the present invention and corresponding detailed description are presented in terms of physical and symbolic representations of components. These descriptions and representations are the ones by which those of ordinary skill in the art effectively convey the substance of their work to others of ordinary skill in the art. It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar components are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these structures.

The present invention set forth above is described with reference to the attached figures. Various structures, systems and devices are schematically depicted in the drawings for purposes of explanation only and so as to not obscure the present invention with details that are well known to those skilled in the art. Nevertheless, the attached drawings are included to describe and explain illustrative examples of the present invention. The words and phrases used herein should be understood and interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the understanding of those words and phrases by those skilled in the relevant art. No special definition of a term or phrase, i.e., a definition that is different from the ordinary and customary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art, is intended to be implied by consistent usage of the term or phrase herein. To the extent that a term or phrase is intended to have a special meaning, i.e., a meaning other than that understood by skilled artisans, such a special definition will be expressly set forth in the specification in a definitional manner that directly and unequivocally provides the special definition for the term or phrase.

While the invention has been illustrated herein as being useful in a telecommunications network environment, it also has application in other connected environments. For example, two or more of the devices described above may be coupled together via device-to-device connections, such as by hard cabling, radio frequency signals (e.g., 802.11(a), 802.11(b), 802.11(g), Bluetooth, or the like), infrared coupling, telephone lines and modems, or the like. The present invention may have application in any environment where two or more users are interconnected and capable of communicating with one another.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various system layers, routines, or modules illustrated in the various embodiments herein may be executable control units. The control units may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, a processor card (including one or more microprocessors or controllers), or other control or computing devices as well as executable instructions contained within one or more storage devices. The storage devices may include one or more machine-readable storage media for storing data and instructions. The storage media may include different forms of memory including semiconductor memory devices such as dynamic or static random access memories (DRAMs or SRAMs), erasable and programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable and programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs) and flash memories; magnetic disks such as fixed, floppy, removable disks; other magnetic media including tape; and optical media such as compact disks (CDs) or digital video disks (DVDs). Instructions that make up the various software layers, routines, or modules in the various systems may be stored in respective storage devices. The instructions, when executed by a respective control unit, causes the corresponding system to perform programmed acts.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the claims below. 

I claim:
 1. A hand-held, portable electronic device for use with a retainable accessory including a conductive member, the hand-held, portable electronic device comprising: a device body; a device housing that encloses the device body, the device housing having an exterior periphery; and a retainer port that defines an accessory retaining structure formed in the exterior periphery of the device housing, the accessory retaining structure is configured to receive the conductive member of the retainable accessory for storing the retainable accessory, wherein the retainable accessory is adapted to communicate with the hand-held, portable electronic device wirelessly via an electronic signal, wherein the accessory retaining structure including: a cavity for retaining the retainable accessory at the hand-held, portable electronic device by inserting the conductive member of the retainable accessory within the cavity, wherein the conductive member of the retainable accessory to enable flow of charge such that the retainable accessory can function by electronically communicating with the hand-held, portable electronic device when physically not connected thereto, wherein the retainable accessory is stored for reuse when physically connected to the hand-held, portable electronic device, wherein the accessory retaining structure is configured to accept a male member which extends longitudinally from an end of the retainable accessory.
 2. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the hand-held portable electronic device includes a first transceiver and the retainable accessory includes a second transceiver such that the second transceiver is adapted to communicate with the first transceiver of the hand-held, portable electronic device using a Bluetooth protocol for a short-range wireless communication, the hand-held, portable electronic device is at least one of a processor-based Bluetooth-enabled hand-held wireless computing device or a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone.
 3. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 1, further comprising: a device battery; and a charge circuitry for charging the device battery and wherein the retainable accessory having a component capable of receiving charge to operate the retainable accessory.
 4. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the accessory retaining structure is configured to mate with the retainable accessory such that frictional forces developed by their contact are sufficient to maintain the conductive member in place after detachably latching the retainable accessory.
 5. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the retainable accessory includes a handsfree audiophone including at least one of a speaker and a microphone and the hand-held, portable electronic device is a cell phone that includes at least one of a digital music player, a personal digital assistant, a global positioning satellite receiver, a video player, and a pocket personal computer.
 6. A method of retaining at a hand-held, portable electronic device a retainable accessory including a conductive member, the method comprising: providing a device body of the hand-held, portable electronic device; providing a device housing that encloses the device body, the device housing having an exterior periphery; and providing a retainer port that defines an accessory retaining structure formed in the exterior periphery of the device housing, the accessory retaining structure is configured to receive the conductive member of the retainable accessory for storing the retainable accessory, wherein the retainable accessory is adapted to communicate with the hand-held, portable electronic device wirelessly via an electronic signal, wherein the accessory retaining structure including: a cavity for retaining the retainable accessory at the hand-held, portable electronic device by inserting the conductive member of the retainable accessory within the cavity, wherein the conductive member of the retainable accessory to enable flow of charge such that the retainable accessory can function by electronically communicating with the hand-held, portable electronic device when physically not connected thereto, wherein the retainable accessory is stored for reuse when physically connected to the hand-held, portable electronic device, wherein the accessory retaining structure is configured to accept a male member which extends longitudinally from an end of the retainable accessory.
 7. The method, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the hand-held portable electronic device includes a first transceiver and the retainable accessory includes a second transceiver such that the second transceiver is adapted to communicate with the first transceiver of the hand-held, portable electronic device using a Bluetooth protocol for a short-range wireless communication, the hand-held, portable electronic device is at least one of a processor-based Bluetooth-enabled hand-held wireless computing device or a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone.
 8. The method, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the hand-held, portable electronic device further comprising: a device battery; and a charge circuitry for charging the device battery and wherein the retainable accessory having a component capable of receiving charge to operate the retainable accessory.
 9. The method, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the accessory retaining structure is configured to mate with the retainable accessory such that frictional forces developed by their contact are sufficient to maintain the conductive member in place after detachably latching the retainable accessory.
 10. The method, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the retainable accessory includes a handsfree audiophone including at least one of a speaker and a microphone and the hand-held, portable electronic device is a cell phone that includes at least one of a digital music player, a personal digital assistant, a global positioning satellite receiver, a video player, and a pocket personal computer.
 11. A hand-held, portable electronic device for use with a retainable accessory including a conductive male member which extends longitudinally from an end of the retainable accessory, the hand-held, portable electronic device comprising: a cavity in an exterior periphery of the hand-held, portable electronic device, wherein the cavity is configured to receive the conductive male member of the retainable accessory for storing the retainable accessory by inserting the conductive male member of the retainable accessory within said cavity, wherein said retainable accessory is adapted to communicate with said hand-held, portable electronic device wirelessly via an electronic signal such that conductive male member of said retainable accessory to enable flow of charge such that the retainable accessory can function by electronically communicating with the hand-held, portable electronic device when physically not connected thereto, and wherein the retainable accessory is stored for reuse within the cavity by physically connecting to the hand-held, portable electronic device.
 12. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the hand-held portable electronic device includes a first transceiver and the retainable accessory includes a second transceiver such that the second transceiver is adapted to communicate with the first transceiver of the hand-held, portable electronic device using a Bluetooth protocol for a short-range wireless communication, the hand-held, portable electronic device is at least one of a processor-based Bluetooth-enabled hand-held wireless computing device or a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone.
 13. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 11, further comprising: a device battery: and a charge circuitry for charging the device battery and wherein the retainable accessory having a component capable of receiving charge to operate the retainable accessory.
 14. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the cavity is configured to mate with the retainable accessory such that frictional forces developed by their contact are sufficient to maintain the conductive male member in place after detachably latching the retainable accessory,
 15. The hand-held, portable electronic device, as set forth in claim 11, wherein the retainable accessory includes a handsfree audiophone including at least one of a speaker and a microphone and the hand-held, portable electronic device is a cell phone that includes at least one of a digital music player, a personal digital assistant, a global positioning satellite receiver, a video player, and a pocket personal computer. 